The Blues Put The Boot Into Football Logic

This result seemed to defy the laws of football logic. Ipswich Town, who have been floundering near the lower reaches of the Championship table, performed out of their skins against a Newcastle United side that seems destined to grace the Premier League again next season.

Few saw this one coming but I was strangely one of the few. It was a case of my heart ruling my head again but having gone for 3-1 a few times this season at Portman Road, this time I got it right and it paid out handsomely I am delighted to report!

When former blue Daryl Murphy equalized on 62 minutes after Freddie Sears had given us a lead just before the break, it looked as if it would be a familiar tale of us having blown our chance. Yet just 7 minutes after Murphy had leveled the scores, Town went in front for a second time, thanks to some fine work by Emyr Huws – who reacted quickest to a poor clearance by keeper Darlow and in a move that involved Grant and then later the provider Freddie Sears, it was David McGoldrick who slide the ball home from close range to restore Town’s lead.

On Sir Bobby Robson Day there was a big crowd at Portman road and in excess of 25,000 and the place was really rocking now that the Blues were one again in the lead.

In the closing stages, manager Mick McCarthy brought on Tommy Smith as he anticipated a late Geordie onslaught but the goal when it came, was not for the visitors.

In fact, it was another Town sub who created the chance when Brett Pitman sent over a teasing cross that evaded everyone except Welshman Hues, who volleyed home in style from the edge of the box!

Let us make no mistake. Ipswich Town thoroughly deserved this victory and it was arguably their best team performance of the season. Thankfully when Town went in front for the second time, they did not dwell on the ball and try and slow things down as they usually do but instead continued to push Newcastle back with some superb passing movements and attacking play.

Supporters have a right to ask where did this display come from? All season long we have lacked this sort of collective team spirit and although the big crowd has obviously helped, I cannot believe that this was the only motivation for a performance like this?

Do the players know something that we don’t – or was it the occasion that inspired the players to play this way?

We may never know but one thing is for sure. More performances like this at home and attendances will begin to rise again.

Frank Weston – Editor of Vital Ipswich